Photography: Ethics Test

Ok, well, Clotho's website seems to be having a little hiccup, which means none of the graphics on my blog, including the photo of the day, are currently working properly. So, to keep you occupied while we wait for the DNS to clear, here's a small ethics test that's apparently been circulating among photographers. I first saw it from Mr. Mark in a discussion thread on Flickr.

This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. No one else will know, so you won't be fooling anyone but yourself if you give anything but a truthful answer.

The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you have to make a decision. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous. Please read slowly and thoughtfully, giving due consideration to each line. Here is the situation:

You are in Florida; Miami to be specific. There is chaos all around caused by a hurricane with severe flooding. A flood of biblical proportions. You are a photo journalist working for a major newspaper, and you're caught in the middle of this epic disaster.

The situation is nearly hopeless. You're trying to shoot career-making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing under the water. Nature is unleashing all its destructive fury. Suddenly you see a man floundering in the water. He is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken down with the debris.

You move closer...

Somehow the man looks familiar. It is George W. Bush, President of the United States!! At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take him under... forever.

You have two options: -you can save the life of G. W. Bush, or you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize winning photo documenting the death of one of the world's most powerful men.

So here is the big question, and please give an honest answer.




Would you select high contrast color film, or would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white?


Hopefully photos will be working again shortly, until then, check out my Flickr Photostream if you want to see the new photo of the day. (I typically post each photo of the day to Flickr in the morning.)

Update: I've changed the address for the photo of the day links so that they use the IP address rather than the DNS system. This should fix the problem in the short term. In a week or so, when things have settled down, I'll change it back.